Another Chip Off That Old Rock

New Kids On The Block Puts Its Mark On A Pop Tradition

These Guys Are A Business Bonanza

November 19, 1989|By Dave Silverman.

The New Kids on the Block are: Donnie Wahlberg, 20; Danny Wood, 20; Jon Knight, 19; Jordon Knight, 18; Joe McIntyre, 16. All the Kids are from Dorchester, a working class neighborhood of Boston. Their musical success has grown from phenomenon to business bonanza in the last six months. Some facts: - ``Hangin` Tough,`` the New Kids second LP, has sold more than 5 million copies. Their self-titled debut album has gone gold (500,000) and recently re- entered the charts.

- The New Kids are the first act in almost five years to have two singles in the Billboard Top 10 simultaneously-``Cover Girl`` was at No. 3 while

``Didn`t I (Blow your Mind)`` was at No. 9 recently. Meanwhile, as their former No. 1 single, ``Hangin` Tough,`` dropped off the chart, the first single from their just-released Christmas album appeared at No. 82.

- New Kids fans each spend an average of $10 to $12 on merchandise at concerts, averaging more than $100,000 per show.

- New Kids retail merchandise is expected to generate an additional $10 million to $15 million in 1990, with products ranging from T-shirts, hats and key chains to school folders, bed sheets, towels and stationery.

- The Kids` first 900 phone line ($2 for the first minute, $.45 every minute after) has generated more than $500,000 per month since it began service in March. A second line ($2 for the first minute, $1 for every minute after) was added in September and has been averaging 6,500 call-minutes per day.

- The Kids` 30-minute ``Hangin` Tough``` video ($19.95), was released in September and is expected to surpass 500,000 copies sold by the end of the month. A second, hourlong live concert video was released last Tuesday.

- Disney, Warner, Fox and Hemdale Films are negotiating for New Kids movie rights. Hanna Barbera has a Saturday morning New Kids cartoon slated for production in the near future.